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Tenth Anniversary of the Berkeley Public Library’s Central Branch Reopening

Friday, April 6, 2012 will mark the tenth anniversary of the grand re-opening of the Central branch of the Berkeley Public Library. In honor of this occasion, an exhibit of documentary photographs of the Central Library and how it looked before the renovation and expansion of the landmark 1931 Art Deco structure is being held in the beautiful historic lobby on the Library’s 2nd floor. Ten years ago as a result of $30 million provided by the voter-approved Measure S, the new 100,000 square foot Central opened with double the space of the old Central, and seven miles of shelves to house its extensive collections. Seven thousand visitors came on that first day to see one of downtown Berkeley’s major architectural landmarks, which is on the National Register of Historic Places and which met immediate praise by architectural critics including Berkeley’s own John King in the San Francisco Chronicle. Historic spaces were returned to their original beauty, and over ten years several million library patrons have enjoyed the many new features of the Library including the vastly expanded Children’s Room, the Berkeley History Room, the Art & Music floor with its views of the Golden Gate, and premium quality hardwood furniture built by local craftspersons . For a complete list of Berkeley Public Library locations, hours, and events please visit www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org